Is it possible to imagine a person who considers himself completely educated, but does not know how to connect two phrases, and if he connects, is he extremely illiterate? The concept of "educated" is almost a synonym for the word "cultural." Therefore, the speech of such an individual must be appropriate.
What is a speech culture?
This concept, like many in the Russian language, is far from unambiguous. Some researchers tend to single out as many as three meanings of the phrase “speech culture”. The definition of the first can be expressed as follows. First of all, this concept is perceived as those skills and knowledge of a person that provide him with the competent use of the language in communication - both in writing and in oral speech. This includes the ability to correctly build a phrase, pronounce without error certain words or phrases, and also use the expressive means of speech.
The definition of the concept of “speech culture” also implies the presence in it of such properties and signs, the totality of which emphasizes the perfection of the transmission and perception of information, communicative qualities in language communication.
And finally, this is the name of the whole section of linguistics, which studies speech in the life of a society of some era and establishes general rules for using the language that are common to all.
What is included in the culture of speech?
The central core of this concept is the language norm, which is considered literary speech. However, there is one more quality that speech culture should possess. The definition of “the principle of communicative expediency” can be interpreted as a skill, the ability to express any specific content with an adequate linguistic form.
This concept is closely related to the ethical aspect of speech culture. It is clear that according to him, such rules of language communication are applied that they cannot insult or humiliate the interlocutor. This aspect calls for adherence to speech etiquette, which includes certain formulas for greetings, congratulations, thanks, requests, etc. As for the language itself, the concept of culture here implies its richness and correctness, imagery and effectiveness. By the way, it is this aspect that prohibits the use of swear words, profanity.
The history of the concept of “speech culture” in Russia
The foundations of the norms of the literary language have been laid for centuries. The definition of the term “speech culture” can be expanded to the concept of science, which deals with the normalization of speech activity. So, this very science “hacked” already in the ancient manuscript books of Kievan Rus. They not only secured and preserved the traditions of writing, but also reflected the features of a living language.
By the 18th century, it became clear in Russian society that if there was no unity in the spelling, then this made communication extremely difficult, creating certain inconveniences. In those days, work was intensified on the creation of dictionaries, grammars, and textbooks of rhetoric. Then the styles and norms of the literary language began to be described.
The undoubted role in the formation of a culture of speech as a science M.V. Lomonosov, V.K. Trediakovsky, A.P. Sumarokov and other prominent Russian scientists.
Theoretical Provisions
Linguistic disciplines include the style and culture of speech, the definition of which by many researchers before was reduced only to the concept of "correct speech". This is not entirely true.
As already mentioned, the concept of speech culture includes three main aspects: normative, communicative and ethical. The basis of modern views on this branch of external linguistics is not so much a question of formal correctness of speech. The ability to effectively and competently use the capabilities of the language is no less significant. These include correct pronunciation, proper construction of phrases, the appropriate use of phraseological turns.
The academic definition of the culture of speech also presupposes the presence of functional styles of the modern language, of which there are several: for example, scientific and colloquial, officially business and journalistic.
